NEWS
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NEWS
Rumor: Apple imposes co-designed packaging on third-party accessories sold in Apple Stores
Apple is known to be obsessive and passionate over its product packaging and now it appears the Cupertino giant is extending that attitude to the packaging of third-party accessories sold in its retail stores.
In a report Monday, 9to5Mac shared leaked images showing third-party accessory packaging co-designed by Apple. The aim of the exercise appears to be to bring third-party accessory packaging in line with Apple’s own packaging. As a result, the new packaging has the same white, minimalist look and feel as Apple’s Mac, iPhone and Apple Watch packaging, and has less text on the front than traditional third-party packaging.
According to the report, the Apple co-designed third-party packaging will also have new product images and be manufactured from higher quality materials.
Image via 9to5Mac.com
The publication also obtained a leaked memo to Apple Store employees informing them that the first wave of third-party accessories to go on sale with the new packaging will be from Tech21, Incase, Sena, Logitech, Mophie and Life Proof.
More accessory makers are expected to join the co-designed packaging scheme, but it appears Apple intends to phase out accessories that do not comply with the new look and feel. Ultimately Apple seems to be adopting a ‘less-is-more’ approach to accessories, even for those manufactured by Apple itself.
In June, a report from Japan revealed that Apple would overhaul its accessory selection with redesigned packaging by July. Revamped display configurations, like those seen in Apple’s new Upper East Side store in New York, also do not require accessories to be displayed in boxes; the units conceal the packaged products in a designated out of sight area. Stores are reportedly also scaling down the selection of accessories to sell only a select range.
It is unclear if Apple has updated packaging design guidelines for all third-party manufacturers to follow, or if the scheme is being run only in conjunction with handpicked brands Apple would like to remain in its stores.
While Apple gains uniformity and a continuation of its brand message by this move, consumers may find it difficult to distinguish between products and will almost certainly have to fork over more for accessories in high-end packaging.
Main image credit: S B via Flickr.com
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